Blog > Moving to Markham from Toronto: A 90-Day Relocation Checklist for 2026
Michael John Lau is a top real estate agent in Markham and a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region. He helps Toronto families plan the move north so both ends of the move, the home they leave and the home they buy, line up.
What is the timeline for moving from Toronto to Markham
Start about 90 days out. Toronto renters usually need to give 60 days’ written notice to end a monthly tenancy, timed to the end of a rental period. Toronto owners who move before selling should know the City’s Vacant Home Tax is 3% of assessed value, and simply listing a home for sale is not an exemption. Buying in Markham means no municipal land transfer tax, which saves $20,475 on a $1.2 million home compared with Toronto. After you move, Ontario requires you to update your driver’s licence and vehicle permit address within 6 days.
90 Days Out: Decide and Plan
- Choose two or three Markham neighbourhoods based on commute, schools and budget.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval that reflects your Markham price range.
- If you own in Toronto: decide whether to sell first, buy first or use bridge financing. See how bridge financing works.
- If you rent in Toronto: check your lease end date and notice requirements.
60 Days Out: Notices and Money
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Give your Toronto landlord written notice | Monthly tenancies usually need 60 days, ending on the last day of a rental period |
| Budget land transfer tax | Ontario only in Markham: $20,475 on $1.2M, versus $40,950 in Toronto |
| Plan for Toronto’s Vacant Home Tax | An empty Toronto home can be taxed at 3% of assessed value |
| Book movers | Month-end dates fill quickly |
Toronto’s Vacant Home Tax: The Item Most Movers Miss
If you move to Markham before your Toronto home sells, it may sit empty. The City of Toronto’s Vacant Home Tax is 3% of the property’s Current Value Assessment, starting with the 2024 tax year. Key points:
- Every owner must file an occupancy declaration each year. The declaration for 2025 was due April 30, 2026.
- Listing your home for sale is not an exemption.
- A transfer of ownership is an exemption only if the sale closes in the year being declared.
Confirm the current rules with the City of Toronto before you move out.
Planning a move from Toronto? Call Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, at (416) 700-0286 to map out your timeline.
30 Days Out: Services and Schools
- Arrange home insurance on the Markham home, effective on closing day.
- Set up Alectra Utilities for electricity, Enbridge Gas for natural gas, and City of Markham water.
- Close or transfer Toronto Hydro and water accounts.
- Contact the York Region District School Board or York Catholic District School Board to register your children.
- Book Canada Post mail forwarding.
Closing Day
- Confirm the funds and closing time with your lawyer.
- Pick up the keys once your lawyer confirms the deal has closed.
- Take meter readings and photos of the home’s condition.
- Change the locks and garage codes.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The First Week in Markham
- Driver’s licence and vehicle permit: update the address within 6 days, along with your health card.
- CRA, banks, employer and insurance: update your address.
- Transit: York Region Transit and Viva replace the TTC for local trips, and the Viva Purple line runs along the Highway 7 rapidway. GO Stouffville line trains run to Union Station.
- Winter: if your new home has a rear lane, the City plows lanes with local roads, and rear-lane homes are not part of the windrow clearing program.
Still Deciding?
If you have not decided whether the move makes sense, start with the bigger picture: space, commute, schools and total cost. See is it worth moving from Toronto to Markham. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information so the move feels planned, not rushed.
Next Steps
- Buying a home in Markham: find the right neighbourhood for your move.
- Selling your home: time your sale with your purchase.
- Mortgage calculator: test your Markham budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I give my Toronto landlord?
For a monthly tenancy, usually at least 60 days’ written notice, ending on the last day of a rental period. Check your lease.
Does Markham have a land transfer tax?
No municipal one. On a $1.2 million home, a Markham buyer pays $20,475 in Ontario land transfer tax, compared with $40,950 in Toronto.
Will I pay Toronto’s Vacant Home Tax if my old home sits empty?
Possibly. The tax is 3% of assessed value. Listing the home for sale is not an exemption, and a sale is exempt only if it closes in the year declared.
How soon do I update my driver’s licence after moving?
Ontario requires you to update the address on your licence and vehicle permit within 6 days.
Who provides utilities in Markham?
Alectra Utilities for electricity, Enbridge Gas for natural gas, and the City of Markham for water.
Can I commute from Markham to downtown Toronto by train?
Yes. The GO Stouffville line runs from Markham stations to Union Station.
Work With Michael John Lau in Markham
Michael John Lau helps Toronto buyers compare Markham neighbourhoods, coordinate the sale or lease they are leaving, and plan closing dates that make the move manageable. Every step is explained so nothing is left to chance.
📞 Contact Michael John Lau, REALTOR®
🌐 www.callmikelau.com
Moving north from Toronto?
Michael John Lau can help you compare neighbourhoods and line up both ends of your move.
Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Markham, Ontario · (416) 700-0286
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Vacant Home Tax details are from the City of Toronto (updated July 22, 2026). Address change rules are from Ontario.ca (October 19, 2026). Land transfer tax is calculated at Ontario and City of Toronto rates. Laneway details are from the City of Markham. Confirm current details with each provider. Michael John Lau is not a lawyer, accountant, tax advisor or mortgage professional. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Speak with a qualified professional about your own situation.